Rio 2016: Russia Paralympics ban confirmed

Russia has lost its appeal against its ban from next month’s Rio Paralympics because of a state-sponsored doping programme.

The decision to exclude Russia’s entire Paralympics team, initially made on Aug. 7 by the International Paralympic Committee, means at least 250 Russian competitors are set to miss the 11-day event, which starts on September 7.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Tuesday that the decision to ban the Russian team was made in accordance with the IPC Rules and was proportionate in the circumstances.

The IPC had gone further than the International Olympic Committee, which stopped short of a blanket ban on Russia at this month’s Rio Olympics, leaving the decision instead in the hands of international sports federations.

Russia recently said that the decision was politically motivated and would punish dozens of innocent athletes.